At least three candidates will face off this fall to become the Lenoir County sheriff.

Sheriff Chris Hill announced he was running after his appointment to fill former Sheriff W.E. “Billy” Smith’s term. Former Kinston Department of Public Safety Maj. Ronnie Ingram and former Lenoir County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Rickie Pearson are also in the race.

All three men are registered Democrats, though Pearson said he’s running unaffiliated.

An unannounced Republican is also looking at campaigning for the post.

Hill said voters should return him to office based on progress the LCSO had over the past year in reducing crime.

“Across the board, thefts, assaults and robberies were all down,” Hill said. “So, we think we’re doing good work here, and I want to continue that. I’m past retirement, and I could leave at any time, but I still have work here to do. I think I have the ability to continue to make things go in the right direction here in Lenoir County, and I want to continue to do that.”

He said he believes the results are thanks to work in the community, by community watch groups and the hard work of the sheriff’s office.

“My people are motivated, and they want to have a safe community just like everybody else does, because they live here also,” Hill said.

He said he believes county residents are pleased with the work the LCSO has done since his appointment in April 2013.

Ingram retired from KDPS on Aug. 1 after achieving the rank of major and heading up the patrol division. He first became an officer in 1985 and worked in patrol, narcotics and investigations before taking over the patrol division.

Multiple attempts to talk with Ingram were unsuccessful, but on his campaign’s Facebook page, he says, “It is my belief that every citizen in Lenoir County deserves to be able to live, work, learn and enjoy life in a place without the fear of being a victim of crime. I have dedicated my life to this goal. I ask you to join me in continuing my life endeavors as your next sheriff of Lenoir (County).”

Pearson retired from the LCSO in February 2012, having worked there since 1975.

“I feel that the sheriff is a representative of the people that elect him to office, and there’s a whole lot more to being the sheriff than just getting your name in the paper all the time,” Pearson said. “You have to worry about service of all the civil papers in the county, courthouse security – to include courtrooms – you have to make sure the jail is secured. There’s a lot of responsibilities for being a sheriff.”

He added, “I’ve held every position at the sheriff’s office but be sheriff, and I feel like I’m qualified for the job.”

Lenoir County Republican Party Chairwoman Michele Nix said she’s unaware of any GOP candidates as of now, but there is at least one person pondering joining the campaign.

“They haven’t decided or not yet, but once he makes the decision, I’m sure everyone will know,” Nix said.

Smith said he has a candidate in mind to start the next term as sheriff, but he isn’t making a public endorsement.

“I think what I said was that I think the citizens need to look at all of the qualifications, and that I knew who I was going to vote for, and hopefully the citizens will look at the qualifications and see who could run it and keep on running it, or had the knowledge and education and the professionalism to operate a sheriff’s office, which involves a whole lot more than foot patrol,” Smith said.

He added, “Don’t get me wrong – they’re all good candidates, they’re all good guys – but I’m just looking at the one I think is the most qualified. And, I’m sure the citizens will look at it that way, too.”

Filing for the 2014 elections begins at noon Feb. 10 and ends at noon Feb. 28. The party primaries are May 6 and the general election is Nov. 4.

Wes Wolfe can be reached at 252-559-1075 and Wes.Wolfe@Kinston.com. Follow him on Twitter @WolfeReports.